So it's been a while since I've been to a new restaurant. I will admit freely admit that I have been eating at the Cheesecake Factory more often then naught with my insane training schedule since I either smell of sweat or chlorine most of the days. So for Christmas, my roommate made it a point that I actually dress
and smell nice for once and go to a nice restaurant.
We ended up going to Siroc - it seemed close to the White House to be able to check out the Christmas Tree and then have dinner.
The decor is nothing to write home about - though 2 of the paintings were crooked. And the service wasn't as sharp as it could be. But the food was pretty amazing. The whole place had a very much neighborhood restaurant vibe to it.
The Duck Confit & Potato Hash was amazing. It was salty with the poached egg's yolk mellowing it out. It was a very well balanced started.
The House Smoked Salmon was also very tastey but different then expected. Instead of the the typical thin cuts of smoked salmon - it was cut like sashsimi. But I really enjoyed the fact that it wasn't salt cured then smoked - so it retained more of that salmon taste and really melted in your mouth. I would come back and eat my weight in this salmon.
The Burrata Mozzarella was amazing. It tasted like they made this in house in how the center was barely set and oh so creamy.
The Spinach Pappardelle was prefect. The pasta was the perfect texture. The shrimp was cooked beautifully. And it was very well balanced. The American in me wanted the option of more cheese. But honestly this dish didn't need it.
I got a side of House-made Spicy Lamb Sausages and this was the only dud of the meal. The sausage was way over salted. And on top of that the Black Olive Sauce was also overpoweringly salty. The only thing that wasn't salty on this dish was the rapini, but sandwiched between the 2 over salted dishes, it didn't stand a chance. While the waitress acknowledged that this was a very salty dish - but even with only 2 bites taken and it being untouched - the wait staff and manager didn't do anything about it.
Roommate got Veal Ossobuco. The meat was wonderful - but it was the oddest polenta we've every seen. Instead of being a baked solid form, it was more of the consistency and tasted of mashed turnips. It was tastey, just not expected.
And while the Warm Almond Cake was good, the Bosc Pear Poached in Red Wine and Ginger really stole the dessert spotlight. I was worried that the ginger would have over powered everything else - but it gave it a little bite but no sting.
With a glass of wine and a diet coke the whole meal came out to about $125 +tip. So it was pretty affordable. I would definately come here again - though not when I was in a rush or felt like I needed to impress someone. More of if I wanted some good home cooked Italian food.
Siroc
915 15th St NW
(between N I St & N K St)
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 628-2220